title: [Report of four clinical cases of filariasis in Alto Nanay, Loreto].
abstract: This study describes the clinical, parasitological and laboratory findings of four patients who lived in the district of Alto Nanay, Maynas, Loreto, Peru and were infected with Mansonella ozzardi microfilariae. Clinical examinations by ophthalmologists, cardiologists and nephrologists were performed. In case 1, the presence of 2 subcutaneous lumps was the most important finding, one at dorsal level and the other in the lower third of the left leg; in case 2, there was a sensation of tingling or coldness in the legs; in case 3, an associated chronic hepatitis B infection was found, and in case 4, a large lump was detected in the left lumbar region. All 4 patients were infected with Mansonella ozzardi and had eosinophilia, 3 of them in percentages of 20%. The lump found in case 4 was due to a herniation of bowel content. Further clinical studies and an evaluation of the actual pathogenic effect of microfilariae are to be performed. A study of the genetic diversity of filariae in the Peruvian Amazon would also be important.
authors.affiliation: Centro Nacional de Salud Pública, Instituto Nacional de Salud, Lima, Perú
authors.forename: Javier
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Vargas-Herrera
authors.forename: Nancy
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Arróspide-Velasco
authors.forename: Sonia
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Gutierrez-González
authors.forename: Juan C
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Celis-Salinas
authors.forename: Daniel
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Huamaní-Solano
authors.forename: Luis
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Loza-Hermenegildo
authors.forename: Julio
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Elgegren-Lao
authors.forename: José
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Armas-Montes
authors.forename: Juan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Baca-Pérez
authors.forename: César
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Cabezas
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000818:Animals; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008366:Mansonella; D008368:Mansonelliasis / Q000175:diagnosis*; D008875:Middle Aged; D010568:Peru